from that. Sometimes we don’t learn our lesson until we lose somebody.”
Her words sank way deeper than she likely had any idea they would.
Was I about to make the same mistake that Victoria had in pushing Damien away? Somehow, I needed to figure that out before it was too late.
Chapter Twenty-Four
I worked late with Tessa to help her get ready for her trip—and to help make up for the trouble I’d caused her by being caught in the elevator with Damien. I’d also hoped that getting home late would make it easier to avoid Damien. At least until I figured out what in the heck I wanted to do with him.
I mean, I knew what I wanted to do with him. It involved a lot of kissing and holding and staring into his beautiful blue eyes. But I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what would come after that.
Was I too broken? I’d spent enough time running away from what the rest of the world seemed to be chasing to make me sure I was. And what sane, normal woman would be scared of being in a relationship with Damien?
No matter how busy I’d been the rest of the afternoon, I couldn’t shake the memory of his hunched shoulders. I kept picturing him hurting and being worried about me.
But then I turned onto our street and saw dozens of cars parked in front of our duplex.
The man was throwing another party? Now? He must not be too upset.
Not only that, but a certain Jeep with a “Daddy’s Princess” bumper sticker was parked on my driveway. Again.
I’d always thought the saying “seeing red” was an overstatement, but my brain went so hot with anger that, for a moment, I saw the world through a filter of flames.
Instead of parking at the end of the street and walking back, I parked sideways across both our driveways, blocking Jen and Damien in the driveway. And I wasn’t going to go talk to him about it either. Let them find out when she needed to leave and I was sound asleep for the night with earplugs in my ears. And maybe while he was out having a carefree good time with his friends, I’d find the answers I was looking for. On my own. Without him.
As I stormed inside, I was met by the sight of Victoria coming down the stairs in a scandalous bikini. Maybe it wouldn’t have been on me, but it was on her. Especially as she literally bounced down the steps, oblivious to the threat of major wardrobe malfunction.
“Hey, Krista. Coming to Damien’s party?”
“No.”
She blinked at me. “I hate it when you get all grim and silent.”
“Sorry.” I passed by her, heading up to the safety of my room. But I paused to say, “You might want to tuck things back in where they go. You’re about to show your nibbles as much as your booms.”
“Your jealousy is showing.”
“Still more attractive than what you’ve got on display. How much did Martin pay for those?”
I shouldn’t be catty. Really, I shouldn’t. Hadn’t I gotten past being jealous of curvy women? Hmmm. Maybe just the nice ones like Tessa. Girls like Victoria still made my claws come out.
Back in my room, I threw off my clothes and pulled on an old pair of leggings and my painting shirt while waiting to hear Victoria go outside. There it was, the faint but familiar sound of the sliding glass door moving on its track and the muffled strains of country music.
I was not curious about what was going on in Damien’s backyard. Or in his hot tub. Although maybe I should go watch to see if Victoria was successful in her obvious intentions to catch his eye.
But I was above that, so despite my raw, clawing curiosity, I headed into my studio and put a pair of earbuds in.
With my favorite playlist on, I began sketching on a new canvas. It took several stray lines before the inspiration buzzing in the back of my mind finally took over. At last an image began to evolve from the swirl of emotions and concepts currently tangled in my head.
One thing I knew. I didn’t need to hate my body anymore. I didn’t need to worry that I wasn’t all round and soft and bouncy. I was still feminine. My skin was soft. My neck and collarbones were striking and elegant. My chin was rounded and my lips full. But mostly, my womanhood wasn’t determined by